SECO News July 2025
DEAR MEMBERS,
As temperatures rise and the summer heat returns, SECO Energy remains committed to delivering the safe, reliable service you depend on. With more than a quarter-million homes and businesses relying on us daily, keeping your lights on – especially during peak demand – is not just our job; it is our promise.
That’s why we’re making significant, ongoing investments in the core components of our electric system, especially our substations. Substations are critical to maintaining reliability. They regulate voltage, balance electrical load, and enable our crews to isolate outages and restore power more quickly and safely. Upgrading and enhancing these essential facilities ensures that our electric grid remains strong, efficient, and responsive as our service area continues to grow.
Although we won’t detail every project here, SECO is strategically upgrading existing substations and building new ones throughout our system to meet increasing demand and strengthen reliability across all of the communities we serve.
With the rapidly rising costs of labor and material, these infrastructure investments are becoming increasingly more expensive. But they are also necessary to keep pace with growth and to maintain the high reliability standards that SECO members have come to expect. However, there’s also a powerful way you can help us manage the rising cost of infrastructure: by participating in our new Smart Connect program.
Smart Connect empowers members to play an active role in reducing demand on the grid during peak hours. When you take part, whether by building a Home Profile in SmartHub or simply being mindful of energy use during peak times, you are helping lower the system’s overall energy load. That, in turn, reduces the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades in the future.
Together, through smart technology and your active engagement, we can protect our system, reduce long-term costs, and keep energy affordable for everyone.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.
Sincerely,
CURTIS WYNN
Chief Executive Officer
SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ program helps shield your home from damaging electrical surges and spikes. Now is the perfect time to sign up for this protection! Enroll by September 30, 2025, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of three portable generators. If you’re already leasing or previously purchased a Surge MitiGator™, you’re automatically entered.
Surge protection is your home’s first line of defense, blocking electrical disturbances before they can damage appliances and electronics. Surges often result from lightning strikes, vehicle accidents, fallen trees, and other unpredictable events. The surge device includes a 15-year manufacturer warranty for extra peace of mind.
CHOOSE YOUR PROTECTION PLAN:
- Lease for just $5.95/month plus tax and installation fee
- Purchase outright for $349
SECO recommends adding point-of-use surge protectors for sensitive electronics. These are widely available at most major home improvement stores.
To enroll, visit secoenergy.com/surge-mitigator/ and complete the web form. We’ll draw three lucky winners in October.
As summer temperatures rise, you can stay comfortable and keep your energy costs in check by adjusting your HVAC temperature settings. Setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home and awake is ideal for balancing comfort and efficiency. When you’re away, raising the temperature to 85°F can lead to substantial energy savings. Remember, the lower you set your thermostat, the harder your system has to work – using more energy and increasing your bill.
Installing a smart thermostat is one of the best investments for improving energy efficiency. These devices automatically adjust your home’s temperature based on your schedule, making it easier to save energy without sacrificing comfort. Already have a smart thermostat? You could receive a $50 one-time incentive by enrolling your Wi-Fi-connected device in SECO’s Smart Connect program.
You can earn additional incentives if you have a Level 2 EV Charger or battery backup system. Learn more about the program and enroll.
Congratulations to our 2025 Annual Meeting trivia winners!
Donna Dube – Lady Lake – $250 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Thomas Graham – The Villages – $250 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Doug Golden – Ocala – $100 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Mikelyn Urban – Inverness – $100 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Lorelei Small – Groveland – $100 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Steve Gosnell – Inverness – $50 SECO Energy Bill Credit
William Riemer – Sumterville – $50 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Regina Wergin – Ocala – $50 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Paul Skonezny – Clermont – $50 SECO Energy Bill Credit
Peter Orlowski – Lady Lake – $50 SECO Energy Bill Credit
If you missed this year’s Annual Meeting, watch the recording online at SECOEnergy.com/Your Co-op/Annual Member Meeting.
Build Your Home Profile in SmartHub
SECO Energy offers more innovative tools to help you manage your energy use – and SmartHub is one of the best. By building a Home Profile you can analyze your home’s energy consumption, identify potential savings, and make informed decisions to boost efficiency. Completing the Home Profile also allows SmartHub to deliver insights tailored to your home’s unique characteristics.
SmartHub is a secure, user-friendly platform that empowers you to view and pay bills, monitor energy usage in real-time, set up budget alerts, and access personalized insights about your energy consumption. It puts you in the driver’s seat of your energy management.
Building your Home Profile is easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Log in to SmartHub on a desktop computer or mobile device.
- Navigate to the “Usage” menu option and choose “Build Your Home Profile.”
- Enter basic information like square footage, heating/cooling system, number of occupants, etc. – that’s it!
Once your Home Profile is complete, SmartHub will provide a personalized breakdown of your estimated energy use by category (heating, cooling, appliances, lights, etc.) along with custom tips to help you improve efficiency. Review the data collected to make wise choices about your energy usage.
Take a few minutes to build your SmartHub Home Profile today. Whether you’re looking to cut costs or go greener, the insights provided can lead to longterm energy savings and empower you to take control of your energy dollars.
Read the full July SECO News.